Click HERE for a pdf of our year-end letter
A look back at what we accomplished with your support!
You rely on River’s Edge Trail Foundation to identify funding opportunities and to partner with each of the agencies that manage sections of the trail. We rely on you to help us fund the many grants required to keep our trail in top shape.
Thank you for your support of River’s Edge Trail. We couldn’t do it without you!
Wilbert Graf Trail Safety – Pedestrian Crossing
Wilbert loved River’s Edge Trail enough that he left a substantial gift to the Foundation in his will. We used that gift to establish a new fund titled The Wilbert Graf Trail Safety Fund. Funds will be restricted for improvements in safety along River’s Edge Trail. This year the fund was used to place a much needed traffic signal at the trail crossing at River Drive North near the Skate Park. The new signals are solar powered. Trail users can push a button to activate flashing pedestrian crossing warning lights.
North Bank Stabilization
Stabilization of the riverbank near Calumet is a two-phased project. Phase I was completed in the Spring. The City has released the second phase of the riverbank slumping and erosion mitigation project to contractors for bid proposals. With a favorable bid and contractor commitment in hand, Phase II will be completed next summer.
Repairing and Replacing Asphalt
Great Falls Parks and Rec Department won a Federal Transportation Alternatives grant with matching funds provided by River’s Edge Trail Foundation. The funds target the 30-year old asphalt trail between the Skate Park and Giant Springs Road. The segment from the Skate Park to the Ninth Street Underpass has degraded to the point that it must be removed and replaced with an all new asphalt trail. Work will begin next summer on this project.
Art on the Trail
The trail continues to be a haven of public art and 2023 was no different. A few highlights of artwork donated to the trail in 2023 include Saxophone, a memorial for Leroy “Bill” Larson and Iris, a nod to Great Falls’ official flower since 1964 both by artist Alex Smithson. A sculpture designed by Sarah Justice and honoring past Athena Award winners is the most recent addition to West Bank Park.
Luminaria Walk
We had a great turnout, beautiful weather and a gorgeous sunset for our annual free, family-friendly Luminaria Walk. Save the Date: Friday, August 16th for next year ‘s event
Updates and Maintenance
The Park and Recreation Trail crew continued their great work on trail maintenance including asphalt sealing, tree planting, signage, trash pick-up, and landscape maintenance.
River Drive South Realignment Update
The realignment will bring the trail downstream along the river from Broadwater Bay, under the BNSF rail bridge and through Tourist Park to rejoin existing trail near Central Avenue West Bridge. It will dramatically increase user safety by eliminating multiple crossings of active rail lines and busy roadways. Following unanimous City Commission approval, the proposal was forwarded to Montana Department of Transportation for construction. It is the most complex and expensive project we’ve undertaken but the safety and functionality improvements it will provide make the years long effort to construct it worth the wait.
